Overview
Marco Davide Faraoni, born on October 25, 1991, in Bracciano, Italy, is a professional footballer who has built a notable career primarily in Italian football. Standing at 1.80 m, Faraoni is recognized for his role as a defender, though his versatility allows him to operate effectively across the entire right flank, including as a right-back, wing-back, or even occasionally as a wide midfielder. This adaptability has been a defining characteristic throughout his professional journey, enabling him to fit into various tactical systems.
Position
Faraoni's primary position is that of a right-back or right wing-back. In these roles, he is tasked with both defensive duties, such as marking opponents and tracking back, and offensive responsibilities, including overlapping runs, delivering crosses, and contributing to build-up play. His ability to cover significant ground along the touchline makes him suitable for systems that rely on wide players to provide both width and defensive cover. His understanding of positional play, combined with his physical attributes, allows him to maintain a high work rate over 90 minutes.
Identity
As a player, Faraoni's identity is shaped by his industriousness, tactical discipline, and consistent performance levels. He is not typically a player who relies on flashes of individual brilliance but rather on his unwavering effort and reliability. His commitment to both ends of the pitch embodies the modern full-back's requirements, making him a dependable presence for his teams. This blend of defensive resilience and attacking impetus has made him a valuable component in the squads he has represented, particularly in leagues where tactical flexibility and stamina are highly prized.
Career path
Marco Davide Faraoni began his footballing journey in the youth ranks of Lazio, a prominent club in his native Italy. He developed through their academy system before making a significant move to Inter Milan in 2010, where he would eventually make his senior debut. His time at Inter provided him with experience at the highest level of Italian football, including appearances in Serie A and European competitions [Transfermarkt].
Udinese and Watford
Following his spell at Inter, Faraoni moved to Udinese in 2012, a club known for developing talent. His tenure there was interspersed with a loan move to Watford in England for the 2013-2014 season. This experience in the Championship provided him with exposure to a different style of football and further honed his physical and tactical understanding of the game. He returned to Udinese after his loan spell, continuing to feature for the Serie A side.
Perugia, Novara, and Benevento
Faraoni's career then saw a series of moves within Italy, including spells at Perugia and Novara, where he gained consistent playing time and further established himself as a reliable right-sided player. In 2017, he joined Benevento, playing a role in their Serie A campaign. These moves allowed him to accumulate valuable experience across different tiers of Italian football, contributing to his development as a seasoned professional.
Hellas Verona
A significant chapter in Faraoni's career began in 2019 when he joined Hellas Verona. At Verona, Faraoni found consistency and became a pivotal player, often captaining the side. His performances as a right wing-back were particularly noteworthy, contributing both defensively and offensively with goals and assists. This period at Hellas Verona solidified his reputation as one of the more dependable wide players in Serie A [FBref]. His longevity and leadership at the club underscored his importance to the team's structure and success.
Playing style
Marco Davide Faraoni's playing style is characterized by a blend of defensive diligence, offensive contribution, and exceptional work rate, making him a quintessential modern full-back or wing-back. As a defender, his primary strengths lie in his ability to track opposition wingers, make timely interceptions, and contribute to defensive solidity. He possesses good positional awareness, allowing him to anticipate danger and cover spaces effectively.
Offensively, Faraoni is known for his overlapping runs down the right flank, providing width and an additional attacking outlet for his team. He has a decent crossing ability, often looking to deliver balls into the box for central forwards. His attacking contributions are not limited to crosses; he also shows a willingness to take on defenders and occasionally ventures into goal-scoring positions. For instance, during his time at Hellas Verona, he demonstrated a knack for arriving late in the box, leading to several crucial goals [Sofascore].
Faraoni's athleticism and stamina are key components of his game. He consistently covers significant ground throughout a match, contributing to both attacking and defensive phases without a noticeable drop in intensity. This endurance allows him to maintain a high press when required and recover quickly to defend against counter-attacks. His tactical discipline is also a notable trait; he adheres to managerial instructions, maintaining his shape and fulfilling his assigned role within the team's system.
While not known for exceptional dribbling skills like a traditional winger, Faraoni's effectiveness comes from his intelligent movement and understanding of space. He often makes well-timed runs into the channels, creating opportunities for himself or his teammates. Comparisons can be drawn to players like Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who combine defensive robustness with consistent attacking output from a wide defensive position, emphasizing reliability and tactical understanding over individual flair.
Achievements & honours
Marco Davide Faraoni has accumulated several team honours throughout his career, primarily within Italian football. While individual accolades have been less frequent, his consistent contributions have played a role in his teams' successes, particularly in securing promotions and maintaining top-flight status.
During his early career at Inter Milan, Faraoni was part of squads that competed at the highest level of Italian and European football. Although his direct involvement in winning major trophies was limited, his presence in such a high-calibre environment contributed to his development as a professional footballer.
A significant achievement in his career includes his contributions to Hellas Verona, where he became a crucial player. While the club did not win major trophies during his tenure, Faraoni played a vital role in establishing them as a stable Serie A side, often contributing with important goals and assists from his wide defensive position. His leadership qualities were also recognized, as he frequently wore the captain's armband for the team.
His career has been marked by consistent performances in Italy's top two divisions, demonstrating his ability to adapt and perform at various levels of professional football. His contributions to teams achieving their objectives, whether promotion or league stability, highlight his value as a reliable and experienced player.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Inter Milan | FIFA Club World Cup | 2010 |
International career
Marco Davide Faraoni has represented Italy at various youth levels, showcasing his potential from a young age. His journey through the Italian national team setup began with appearances for the Italy U17, U18, U19, and U20 squads. These youth international experiences provided him with valuable exposure to competitive international football and helped hone his skills against peers from other nations.
He was a regular fixture in the Italy U19 team, participating in qualification campaigns and tournaments. His performances at this level highlighted his versatility and work rate, which were already evident in his club career. Playing for the national youth teams allowed him to develop tactical understanding within an international framework and gain experience in high-pressure environments.
While Faraoni has had a consistent club career in Serie A, he has not yet earned a senior cap for the Italy national team. The competition for places in the Azzurri's defensive ranks, particularly at right-back, has historically been strong, featuring numerous high-calibre players. Despite his strong performances at club level, especially during his time at Hellas Verona, he has faced stiff competition from established internationals.
Nevertheless, his extensive experience at youth international level underscores the recognition of his talent and potential within the Italian football federation. His journey demonstrates the depth of talent available to the Italian national team and the challenging pathway to earning a senior cap.
What makes Marco Davide Faraoni stand out
Marco Davide Faraoni stands out primarily due to his exceptional versatility and unwavering work rate on the right flank. He is not merely a defender but a complete wide player capable of influencing both defensive and offensive phases of the game. His ability to seamlessly transition between right-back and right wing-back roles, adapting to different tactical formations, makes him a highly valuable asset for any manager.
Another distinctive trait is his leadership and experience. Having played for numerous clubs in Serie A and even captaining Hellas Verona, Faraoni brings a level of maturity and understanding of the game that can be crucial in challenging situations. He is known for his consistent performances, rarely dropping below a certain standard, which provides reliability to his team.
His capacity to contribute crucial goals and assists from a defensive position also sets him apart. For example, his knack for making late runs into the penalty area and converting chances has provided vital points for his teams, demonstrating an attacking instinct uncommon for many full-backs. This offensive output, combined with his defensive solidity, makes him a dynamic presence on the pitch.
"Faraoni brings a level of tactical intelligence and unwavering effort that makes him invaluable to his team's structure."